School Board Speech 4

Hello my name is Kaden Bryant and I'm a junior at Oviedo High School.

The walkouts all over Florida that took place in protest of the "Don't Say Gay" bill were part of history. I was at the one at my school a few months back and it was nothing but empowering. I cannot explain to you how happy I felt to be fully seen and cared for with students holding up signs, chanting, and encouraging real positive change. Despite what certain educators may claim, these events weren't something to hide or be ashamed of. This was a community of young people passionate about queer equality, taking a stand for what they believe in.

And the job of the yearbook staff, as journalists, is to report the facts and document events. Michael Hunter cannot punish these students for simply doing their job. They were recording our history, as it should be. Even if the board can't directly change the decision made, that doesn't mean there's NOTHING you can do. All we're asking is that you hear us, and try.

This attempt at further suppressing the LGBTQ+ community may set us back, but it will not dampen our spirits. It will not silence us, it will not deter us, and it will certainly not stop us from fighting for equality. No matter how many speeches you childishly interrupt or ways you try to marginalize us, we will not stop fighting. So if no progressive action is to be taken, you will continue to hear speech after speech from me and the community until someone actually does something about these problems.

And I am so sick and tired of supposed adults interrupting the literal minors who are brave enough to stand up here and speak. Though when it's the "moms for bigotry" speaking, they throw temper tantrums if someone even coughs. These bored housewives with nothing better to do cannot hold this double standard against us and not even be held accountable for it. It's sad, pathetic, and nearly comical that adults act this way while the students are the only ones who know basic manners.

I'll be honest, I don't want to be here. I always leave with a headache after listening to the hate speech that no one stops - and quite honestly, I'd rather be taking a nap. But here I am anyway, because I need to be. Because none of you are willing to put the effort into making the change that we need, so instead of that nap, I'm going to continue coming here until you all stop giving me a reason to. Thanks.